07/08/2026
The truth is... we need your help.
As we reach the halfway point of the year, we want to share something that many people don’t realize.
S**o Main Street is a nonprofit organization. We are not a City department.
While the City of S**o is an important funding partner, that support is only one piece of the puzzle. Like many nonprofits, we rely on sponsorships, donations, grants, and community investment to continue serving downtown.
Our role is unique. We provide downtown events, beautification, placemaking, business support, marketing, and initiatives that complement the City's work. S**o has a strong Economic Development Department, and we work alongside them to help create a vibrant downtown where businesses can succeed and the community can thrive. Because we’re a nonprofit, we’re also able to secure grants that municipalities often cannot access—bringing additional investment into our downtown. Most grants, however, are restricted to specific projects and generally can’t be used to cover day-to-day operations, staffing, or the programs and events you enjoy year after year.
Here’s what that looked like recently:
• Leveraged more than $170,000 in grant funding to revitalize Riverfront Park, create a self-guided walking tour along the S**o River, and promote downtown S**o through visitor rack cards distributed to cities in Maine & New Hampshire with Amtrak stations and communities throughout Maine.
• Hired an illustrator and digital design artist to create the first downtown S**o map in over 20 years—now nearly to print.
• Shared funding opportunities and resources that helped two downtown businesses each receive $10,000 grants to invest in and grow their businesses.
• Hosted 15 community events and programs that brought people downtown, supported local businesses, and created opportunities for residents and visitors to connect.
The reality is that sponsorship support has declined over the past three years. Today, one employee is doing the work that keeps downtown moving forward. We’d love to grow our impact, create new programs, expand our support for downtown businesses, and accomplish even more—but we can’t do that without additional financial support.
So today, we’re asking for something a little different.
Can you open a door for us?
Do you work for—or know someone at—a company with a community giving program? Do you have connections to a corporate foundation, local business leader, or someone who believes in investing in their community?
An introduction can be just as valuable as a donation.
If you know someone who might be interested in supporting our work, we’d love to have a conversation. Together, we can continue building a downtown that businesses, residents, and visitors are proud to call their own.
Send us a message, tag a business, or make an introduction. Every connection helps.
